AirWatch by VMware is rolling out new functionality for its AirWatch Teacher Tools classroom management suite.

AirWatch Teacher Tools, part of the AirWatch for Education package, is a classroom management and collaboration bundle that lets teachers control student devices and apps. It comprises two components: AirWatch Teach, used by teachers to create courses, distribute learning materials and manage students, and AirWatch Learn, used by students to access shared content.

The new version, which is expected to be released in July, includes an updated interface, redesigned with input from schools, according to AirWatch. It also adds:

A new feature called All Eyes Up Front, which can lock devices during instruction;

Single Application Mode, which forces students or groups of students to use a specific application for a specified amount of time; and

Clear Passcode, which simplifies the process of resetting students' passwords.

"At Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD), our ongoing mobile initiative involves placing iPads secured by AirWatch in the hands of all teachers, students and faculty members," said Israel Oliveros, mobile technology coordinator, CVUSD, in a statement released to coincide with the update. "With AirWatch Teacher Tools, we can use these mobile devices to customize the way students are learning and engaging in the classroom. Teacher Tools provides a simple, streamlined way to further integrate technology into the classroom and provide our teachers and faculty with the resources needed to help students communicate, collaborate and think critically."

"The release of Teacher Tools will dramatically enhance our teacher's ability to manage the iPads in their classrooms in a way that positively impacts learning. Teacher Tools demonstrates the AirWatch commitment to providing educators with tools that enable mobility and enhance teaching and learning," said Todd Ryckman, chief educational technology officer, Santa Barbara Unified School District, also in a prepared statement. "We are appreciative of our partnership with AirWatch and will continue to work with AirWatch to equip our teachers with the technology resources needed to enhance the great work they are already doing implementing the Common Core."

CVUSD and SBUSD are two of more than 1,500 AirWatch customers in the United States.

The new AirWatch Teacher Tools features are being shown off at the ISTE 2014 conference, taking place this week in Atlanta. AirWatch is exhibiting in booth 1048. Additional details can be found at air-watch.com.

About the Author

Executive Producer David Nagel heads up the editorial department for 1105 Media's education publications — which include two daily sites, a variety of newsletters and two monthly digital magazines covering technology in both K-12 and higher education.

A 21-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art and business publications.

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